Stegmaier accused of mortgage fraud

RENO, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com) -- There are new developments in the case involving a former Reno Police officer who retired and is now accusing the department of corruption. A search warrant has been issued by the Reno Justice of the Peace.

The warrant was obtained by the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, which is investigating the actions of former Reno Police Sergeant Jim Stegmaier. However this investigation has taken on a new focus, and that is mortgage fraud.

The four page document which News 4 obtained from Reno Justice Court says there is probable cause to believe the crime of mortgage fraud, which is a felony, has been committed by men named Robert Fay and James Stegmaier.

The wording of the warrant allowed investigators to search Stegmaier's Bank of America accounts for "all financial records, documents, files, correspondence and reports" relating to a loan for a property in Clear Lake, California which is about 200 miles from Reno.

The Sheriff's Office would not comment on this search warrant or tell us exactly what they found. However,Stegmaier's attorney Ken McKenna calls this a witch hunt. He says Stegmaier purchased that property in Clear Lake legally, and that everything about the deal was fully disclosed.

Stegmaier retired from the Reno Police Department after an internal affairs investigation showed he pointed his gun at other officers while on duty.

Those charges remain under investigation, and the City of Reno is conducting its own investigation into possible corruption within RPD's internal affairs unit.

Sounds like Stegmaier is being targeted from all angles to discredit his police corruption allegations. I mean - mortgage fraud? Guilt or innocence aside, how would the WCSO even receive information of mortgage fraud against Jim? Hmmmmm, perhaps an "anonymous" tip from one of the cops he has accused of police corruption? Something smells fishy.